Chapter 14: Come, Follow Me

For some time, it was certain that the dilapidated courtyard of Bai Li Tianchang would remain undisturbed. Among the sons and daughters of the General's Mansion, Bai Li Jin and Bai Li Guishan held the most power. Since Bai Li Guishan had not yet turned his hand against her, dealing with Bai Li Jin would at least grant her a period of peace.

However...

There were still many matters to be addressed. But now, unable to cultivate and lacking the Dream-Building Tower, this was a grave problem indeed.

In the twenty-first century, there existed a mysterious mercenary organization known as the Hidden Gate. Every member of the Hidden Gate possessed rare treasures, each one an heir to a secretive family.

For instance, the member White Fox owned the all-encompassing Sea Talisman. Red Fox possessed the wondrous Mystic Spirit Pearl. As for Bai Li Tianchang, her treasure was the Dream-Building Tower.

Each member had their own strengths. White Fox excelled at acupoint strikes and hidden weapons; Red Fox was a master of poisons and pill refining. Bai Li Tianchang herself specialized in lightness skill and martial arts.

Having lived among them, Bai Li Tianchang had also learned some methods of poison-making and the techniques of acupoint striking and using hidden weapons, though not as proficiently as White Fox or Red Fox.

In the overgrown weeds of her courtyard, she found some herbs laced with venom.

By tomorrow, Bai Li Jin and Bai Li Gui would break out in red rashes, which would gradually spread across their entire bodies.

“Little Dream Immortal, do you wish to cultivate?”

Amidst her worries, a figure in white robes drifted gracefully into view, appearing before Bai Li Tianchang.

Looking up, she could see his face clearly in the moonlight. Wasn’t this the very man who had carried her to the rooftop earlier that day?

“Are you truly willing to help me?”

Now trapped in dire straits, he was the only one willing to approach her. No matter his motive, as long as he was willing to help, Bai Li Tianchang would seize this chance.

“No one has ever doubted my word before. You are the first.”

Nalan Dijiu swept his gaze over the ruined courtyard and shabby house where Bai Li Tianchang now lived. He shook his head, a flash of coldness darting across his eyes.

“Come. Come with me.”

He took her hand and began to lead her away.

“Where are you taking me? I cannot leave the General’s Mansion yet. I still need to demand silver and pills from that heartless father of mine, so I can save someone.”

It was indeed unfortunate—the original Bai Li Tianchang had only returned to the mansion yesterday and, before she could even meet her heartless father, perished beneath an iron rod.

Driven into a corner, the original Bai Li Tianchang had come back to the General’s Mansion as a last resort.

Now, the current Bai Li Tianchang was just as desperate! Without silver, pills, or cultivation, she could not save that person.

“To save whom?”

Unexpectedly, Nalan Dijiu took her words to heart.

“When I was five, the General’s Mansion threw me into a river, leaving me to fend for myself. Unconscious, I floated down the river to Peach Village, where Aunt Zhang rescued me.”

Piecing together the memories left behind by the previous Bai Li Tianchang, she explained to Nalan Dijiu, “Aunt Zhang raised me for ten years. A few days ago, she fell gravely ill. Realizing her time was short, she urged me to return to the General’s Mansion.”

“Naturally, I refused, but Aunt Zhang insisted that only by going back, only by getting silver and pills from that heartless father of mine, could I save her life.”

“Though I know in my heart this was just an excuse Aunt Zhang made to make me return, there is no other hope left to cling to now.”